Flowers Foods Inc. Appoints David Roach as Chief DSD Operations Officer

This newly established position will see Roach take on full profit-and-loss responsibility for Flowers’ DSD operations, where he will oversee sales performance, operational efficiency, and cross-functional alignment across the company's entire value chain. Roach will report directly to Heeth Varnedoe, the President and Chief Operating Officer of Flowers Foods.

Varnedoe emphasized the significance of Roach’s appointment: "This new role sharpens ownership of our DSD sales performance and enables greater visibility and influence to deliver strong results aligned with company goals." He added that Roach’s extensive leadership experience and understanding of the DSD model are crucial for improving execution and enhancing profitability, ultimately creating value for stakeholders.

David Roach is no stranger to Flowers Foods, having served the company for over 30 years. Before this new role, he held the position of Chief Strategic Projects Officer, where he led initiatives aimed at advancing the company's long-term growth. His previous roles include President of Cake Operations and various leadership positions across snacking/specialty, organics, and sales operations in both national and regional capacities. Roach’s extensive experience positions him uniquely to lead the DSD operations through a rapidly evolving retail landscape.

In addition to Roach’s appointment, Flowers Foods has consolidated its end-to-end cake business into a new division, which will be led by Dan Scott, the newly appointed Senior Vice President of Cake. Scott will report to Roach and is tasked with accelerating performance and driving profitable growth within the cake portfolio.

Scott, who has been with Flowers since 1999, brings a wealth of experience in DSD sales and bakery operations, having held multiple leadership positions across the company. His involvement in recent digital transformation initiatives has been pivotal for Flowers, further reinforcing the company's commitment to innovation in an increasingly competitive market.

Varnedoe remarked on Scott's capabilities: "Dan's extensive experience in DSD sales and proven ability to lead through transformational change will be invaluable as we seek continued improvement and growth in our cake business."

The restructuring within Flowers Foods reflects the company’s focus on operating with greater speed and efficiency, particularly in today's dynamic retail environment. The changes aim to ensure disciplined execution and enhanced visibility across the enterprise, which are essential for achieving sustained results.

As Flowers Foods continues to evolve, the leadership changes are seen as a strategic alignment with the company's long-term goals. With Roach at the helm of DSD operations and Scott leading the cake division, Flowers Foods is well-positioned to enhance its operational capabilities and profitability, ensuring it remains competitive in the evolving bakery marketplace.

Flowers Foods, headquartered in Thomasville, Ga., is one of the largest producers of packaged bakery foods in the United States, reporting net sales of $5.1 billion in 2024. The company operates bakeries nationwide and boasts a diverse range of well-known brands, including *Nature's Own, Dave's Killer Bread, Canyon Bakehouse, Simple Mills, Wonder,* and *Tastykake.*

As the company navigates the challenges and opportunities within the baking industry, the leadership of Roach and Scott will be critical in shaping the future trajectory of Flowers Foods.